NRL 2024 casualty ward: Parramatta rookie Arthur Miller-Stephen to miss entire season
An exciting Paramatta rookie has been ruled out for the entire 2024 season — and it’s not the only off-season injury drama to hit the club. Check out the Eels’ growing casualty ward.
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Parramatta’s search for more x-factor in the outside backs has intensified on the back of confirmation exciting rookie Arthur Miller-Stephen has been ruled out for the entire 2024 NRL season after undergoing knee surgery.
Miller-Stephen, who scored a try on debut late last season against St George Illawarra, was unavailable to return to pre-season training this week after it was revealed he had become the latest casualty at a post-season Indigenous rugby league carnival.
Miller-Stephen was one of four Parramatta players injured while on loan after the NRL season, with Daejarn Asi, Junior Paulo and Makahesi Makatoa also recovering from surgery following the Pacific Championships.
Miller-Stephen’s injury is said to have occurred at an Indigenous tournament in Queensland and will now cost the youngster at a crucial time in his development.
It follows setbacks to the Bulldogs’ Josh Addo-Carr (concussion following a fight) and Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan (syndesmosis) at the Koori Knockout on the NSW Central Coast.
A regular at fullback in the NSW Cup team in 2023, Miller-Stephen was on a train-and-trial deal for next season, so it is not going to be a significant blow to the Eels from a salary cap perspective.
But it is still a setback the club could have done without given the youngster and was right in the mix for more NRL appearances next season on the back of Waqa Blake’s exit from the club.
Eels break through first with Miller-Stephen getting a try on debut! ðŸ‘
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The Eels do have money available in their cap and have been waiting patiently for the right player to come along.
In 2022, Parramatta lost winger Haze Dunster for 12 months to a horrific knee injury in the pre-season, one which plagued him this year and required a further surgical clean-up recently.
Miller-Stephen’s injury also puts further focus on the battle clubs are up against releasing their players for post-season tournaments.
While no club wants to stand in the way of players representing their family heritage, it still puts them in a tough position where the club is left to carry the can for injuries that haven’t occurred on their watch.
Asi ruptured a tendon in his finger while playing for Samoa and is not expected back until the new year.
Paulo will return in January after having surgery on a chronic toe injury after completing his duties for Samoa and boxing commitments.
Makatoa suffered a torn pectoral while playing for the Cook Islands.
Meanwhile, star halfback Mitchell Moses commenced full-time training this week following surgery on his fractured eye socket.
Skipper Clint Gutherson is also back training after post-season surgery for a knee injury picked up in the Eels’ final of the season.
While Gutherson won’t be back running until prior to Christmas, he is expected to be fit for round one.
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Originally published as NRL 2024 casualty ward: Parramatta rookie Arthur Miller-Stephen to miss entire season
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